S2 Midterm Flashcards
Teller Admendment
Definition: A provision passed in 1898 stating that the U.S. would not annex Cuba after defeating Spain in the Spanish-American War.
Significance: It demonstrated U.S. intentions to promote Cuban independence and reassured skeptics about imperial ambitions.
Territory Gained from the Spanish-American War
Definition: As a result of the 1898 Treaty of Paris, the U.S. acquired Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.
Significance: This marked the U.S.’s emergence as a global imperial power
Open Door Policy
Definition: A U.S. policy advocating for equal trading rights in China and respect for its territorial integrity, established in 1899–1900.
Significance: It aimed to protect American trade interests and curb European
domination in China.
Immediate Cause of WWI
Definition: WWI began in 1914 after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
Significance: The assassination triggered a series of alliances and conflicts that escalated into a global war.
America’s Entry into WWI
Definition: The U.S. entered WWI in 1917 after Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare and the interception of the Zimmermann Telegram.
Significance: U.S. involvement shifted the balance in favor of the Allies and showcased its growing global influence.
Woodrow Wilson’s Declaration of War (1917)
Definition: Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany, emphasizing the need to protect democracy.
Significance: The U.S. entered WWI reshaping its role on the global stage.
War Industries Board
Definition: A government agency during WWI that coordinated industrial production for the war effort.
Significance: It highlighted the importance of economic planning during wartime.
Committee on Public Information
Definition: A propaganda agency established during WWI to garner public support for the war.
Significance: It utilized mass media to unite the nation and promote patriotism.
Insular Cases
Definition: A series of Supreme Court decisions about the application of U.S. constitutional rights in new territories.
Significance: These rulings defined the legal status of U.S. territories and their residents.
Roosevelt Collorary
Definition: An extension of the Monroe Doctrine asserting the U.S.’s right to intervene in Latin America.
Significance: It established the U.S. as a regional “policeman” in the Western Hemisphere.
The Great Migration (WWI)
Definition: The movement of African Americans from the South to Northern cities for better economic opportunities.
Significance: It reshaped demographics and spurred cultural developments, such as the Harlem Renaissance.
Theodore Roosevelt
Definition: A U.S. president known for leading the Rough Riders, the “Square Deal” policies, and running as a Progressive in 1912.
Significance: His leadership expanded U.S. influence globally and redefined the role of government
Queen Liliuokalani
Definition: The last monarch of Hawaii, overthrown in 1893 with U.S. support.
Significance: Her removal paved the way for Hawaii’s annexation and highlighted U.S. expansionism.
Alfred Mahan’s Writing
Definition: His work, The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, argued for naval strength as key to global power.
Significance: It shaped U.S. foreign policy and justified imperialism.
Alice Paul
Definition: A suffragist who led efforts for the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote.
Significance: Her activism was pivotal in securing gender equality in voting rights.
Harlem Renaissance
Definition: A cultural movement celebrating African American art, music, and literature during the 1920s.
Significance: It fostered racial pride and influenced American culture.
Soft Power (1920s)
Definition: The use of cultural influence rather than force to assert national power.
Significance: The U.S. exported culture like jazz and cinema, shaping its global image.
Dollar Diplomacy
Definition: A policy encouraging U.S. investment in foreign economies to gain influence.
Significance: It reflected economic imperialism, particularly in Latin America.
Consumer Buying in the 1920s
Definition: Americans embraced credit and installment buying, fueling an economic boom.
Significance: This consumer culture helped define the Roaring Twenties but contributed to the Great Depression.
Sheppard-Towner Federal Maternity and Infancy Act (1921)
Definition: A law funding maternal and infant healthcare programs.
Significance: It was an early example of federal involvement in public health.
Targets of the KKK in the 1920s
Definition: Beyond African Americans, the Klan targeted Jews, Catholics, and immigrants.
Significance: Their resurgence highlighted racial and cultural tensions of the time.
Universal Negro Improvement Association
Definition: Marcus Garvey’s organization promoting black pride and economic independence.
Significance: It laid groundwork for later civil rights movements.
Great Depression’s Effect on Women in the Workforce
Definition: Many women faced discrimination and job loss but continued to work in low-paying roles.
Significance: It challenged traditional gender roles and highlighted inequalities.
Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti Court Case
Definition: Sacco and Vanzetti were Italian immigrants and anarchists who were convicted of murder in 1921 during a robbery in Massachusetts. The trial was highly controversial due to allegations of bias against their political beliefs and immigrant status.
Significance: The case highlighted deep divisions in American society over issues like immigration, political radicalism, and justice. It became a symbol of unfair treatment of minorities and inspired protests globally.
